Friday, September 4, 2009

Robert Jason’s Songwriter’s Workshop! Oct 24


We are now taking reservations for our first Dallas Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24th, 10 - 5 Lunch included, venue TBA (probably in Plano. Attendance per Workshop will be limited to 10 participants. This guarantees plenty of time to devote to all writers. The fee per writer is $250, $150 in advance. A 10 writer per session limit is best, so all can get their fair share of attention, though ALL learn by watching. $25 Early Registration Discount is offered to DSA Members who register before October 3rd. If we exceed 10, I will schedule another Workshop for the following day, usually 12PM on Sundays.

To reserve your spot email robert@robertjason.com

Quote:
"No Diane Warren infestation of country music in the past year is proof that prayer can indeed change things.
" Chet Flippo (Nashville Skyline/cmt.com)

Fellow songwriters….

The goal of my workshop is to provide knowledge, guidance, and encouragement to both full time and beginning songwriters. I promise this will be not only stimulating, but lots of fun, and maybe even a few (happy) tears.

All will have the opportunity to share their songs in the group, whether by cd or guitar vocal live performance.

Songwriters representing all genres are welcome: Alternative rock/pop, Inspirational County, Contemporary Christian, R&B, Folk, AOR, etc.

All writers are encouraged to offer comments on each other’s songs, and I will, of course offer my own. It is in this sharing of thought that great songs spring forth.

I’ll discuss the art of co-writing, lyric construction, becoming a “hook-master” and even the dreaded WRITER’S BLOCK, and its cure.

Of course, writing that hit is just the first step. I’ll delve in to the proper (and cost effective) demo for your song, home recording, song pitching, and publishing.

I do not waste your time playing my songs. I’m there for YOU, not the other way around. I do not accept songs for publishing, but will be most happy to recommend publishers in Nashville or Los Angeles IF appropriate.

Lunch will be provided, as I keep the workshop open for as long as we are productive. This can be as long as 6 hours.

As a special “reward” for the all the hard work, I invite all attendees to an “after glow”, a get-together at a local coffee house where we kick back, exchange emails/network and such. The first cappuccino is on me!


About Robert Jason http://www.robertjason.com

Monday, July 6, 2009

Nicholson Workshop Comments, photos, and video

Please tell Mr. Nicholson again for me that I greatly appreciated him doing this workshop. It was very informative and enjoyable at the same time ........ Michael Fredde


Good morning Barbara and everyone else who helped make the workshop happen last evening, Thank you all very much for your efforts; it was truly an inspiring event for me!! ....... Butch Shindel

Hey Everyone,
Many thanks to all of you that came out to DSA "Gary Nicholson Songwriter's Workshop" on Wednesday, June 24th and made it a great success with an overflowing crowd of 35 people.

Please see some of the pictures posted on our DSA Yahoo Groups site. This is the members group, so you will have to be a member to view the photos. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dallassongwriters/photos/album/2003225389/pic/list
Here are two of many:
Gary Nicholson

DSA President, Steve Sullivan, Gary Nicholson, DSA Founder, Barbara McMillen

You can download your pictures with Gary from here. A couple of videos have been posted on YouTube as well.
Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Cul0If2kY
Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYSCjwKJwIs

Thank You,
Steve Sullivan, DSA President

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Song Workshop with Gary Nicholson


Songwriting Workshop
presented by the Dallas Songwriters Association
Wednesday, June 24
6PM - 9:30PM
Center For Community Cooperation
2900 Live Oak Dallas, Tx 75204
PLEASE PRE-REGISTER by emailing to info at dallassongwriters.org "RSVP Workshop" in the subject line.
Workshop Fee
$35
$25 for DSA Members
You can pay by credit card online at our kagi store http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE&&
or by cash or check at the workshop.
Light Sandwiches Provided

Http://www.garynicholson.com
He has recent cuts with Ringo Starr, George Strait, Keb Mo, John Mayall, Buddy Guy, and song in upcoming Jeff Bridges movie.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Wildflower Songwriting School

Music is life's only true magic, treat it with all the respect that it deserves.”
~Bruce Swedien

May 15-17, 2009 Marriott Residence Inn Wildflower! Richardson, TX 75081

No matter if you are writing your first or five hundredth song – This is the school for you!

School limited to 40 students
Cost for 3 Day Seminar - $175 Note: If you entered the 2009 singer/songwriter contest, you receive a $25 discount. If you attended the 2008 Song School, you receive an additional $25 discount. The total available discount is $50.

Nationally Acclaimed Faculty

Jon Vezner
Nashville Grammy winning songwriter. Jon has had 24 of his songs recorded by over 15 different artists including Diamond Rio, Faith Hill, Ronnie Milsap, and of course, Kathy Mattea.

Pat Pattison
Professor of Music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and author of three books on songwriting: Writing Better Lyrics, The Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure, and The Essential Guide to Rhyming; Conducts song schools from Canada to Australia

http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/content/SingerSongwriterSchool.html

Musical Workshops

Spring and Summer 2009
ONE-DAY Workshops
What’s the perfect theatre experience for kids and teens? Be sure to see the stage productions of these best loved musicasl at The Music Hall in Fair Park, and then learn from the professional cast members.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF THE WIZARD OF OZ
DATE: Saturday, May 23rd DATE: Saturday, June 13th
TIME: 10:30am to Noon TME: 10:30 to Noon
LOCATION: The Majestic Theatre,
LOCATION: Dallas Opera Downtown Dallas Rehearsal Center-Fair Park
COST: $40 COST: $40
AGE: 10 + AGE: 7 +
Please call the offices of the Dallas Summer Musicals Academy to enroll. A credit card payment will reserve your spot in a workshop. Must wear appropriate dance or athletic wear and NO HARD SOLED SHOES please.

http://www.dsmschool.org/2008b/Majestic.html

Monday, January 19, 2009

Songsalive! Austin, TX Workshop

at Genuine Joe's Coffee Shop

2001 W. Anderson Ln
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 220-1576 for directions only.
(512) 939-4077 austin@songsalive.org 
Venue info: www.genuinejoe.com 

Songsalive! event info www.songsalive.org/austin 

DATES: Wednesday, January 21st, 2009,
Then  28th and continuing into February… 


TIME: 8:30PM till 10:30PM. Starts on time. Please do not be late. Must arrive on time to be considered to present a song for critique.

Songsalive! holds workshops where songwriters gather to share their songs, gain feedback and develop relationships within the songwriting communities we have created around the world. The first half is solely dedicated to an in-the-round workshop where writers present one song each - either on tape, CD or live - followed by a guest speaker/industry discussion in the second half and plenty of time to talk and network.


SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS are hand picked from publishers to record company A&R, well-known songwriters, authors, artists and music industry reps. Most months we have guest speakers. 
Check out who has spoken and who will speak at our workshops at www.songsalive.org/speakers



COST: $5 for non-members, free to Songsalive! members. You can join Songsalive! to participate in the workshops at http://www.songsalive.org/join



RULES & WHAT TO BRING: 1 song either on tape, CD or live (bring own guitar or keyboard) and 10 copies of your typed lyric sheet with contact details clearly displayed. Read the RULES at  www.songsalive.org/workshoprules

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Other Song Association Workshops

HOUSTON AREA SONGWRITER MEETINGS & ORGANIZATIONS

NSAI Houston North Metro Chapter
Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month for informative lessons, guest speakers, group critique and songwriters’ performances in-the-round. Next meeting is Wednesday, May 6th beginning at 7:00pm at Dosey Doe Coffee Shop, on I-45 north, in the Woodlands. http://myspace.com/nsaihoustonnorthmetro

Woodlands Songwriters Association
WSA is an organization offering an environment of support, information and creative inspiration to the songwriter hobbyist or to those wanting to advance to a more professional level, by providing opportunities to learn more about the craft and business of songwriting and to form creative partnerships and networking among fellow songwriters. WSA is open to anyone who wants to be a part of a network of songwriters of all levels. Meeting the 2nd Monday each month at Borders Books, Market Street, The Woodlands, TX, 7:00pm.
Next meeting Monday, May 11th, 7:00pm. Join the MySpace group: http://groups.myspace.com/woodlandssongwriters

Houston Association of Acoustic Musicians (HAAM)
The Houston Association of Acoustic Musicians is a not-for-profit community of Acoustic Musicians and those who support acoustic music in the Greater Houston Area.
OUR MISSION:
To develop and share resources with our membership and the Greater Houston Community.
To create an identity for the Houston acoustic music scene by encouraging awareness.
To provide and explore opportunities for social and professional development and networking.
HAAM has a weekly radio show called The HAAM Radio Show & Traffic Jam, spinning tunes from local to regional singer/songwriters and bands, along with a live in-studio segment featuring a local or touring artist. Tune in each Monday from 3:00 to 5:00pm on 90.1FM KPFT or listen live at http://www.kpft.org. Bi-annual fund drives help keep this program on the air, so your financial support is encouraged. To find out more about HAAM, go to http://www.haam.us

NSAI Houston Monthly Meeting and Open Mic
Dave Bannen hosts the Houston area chapter of NSAI the last Sunday of each month at JP Hops House, at 4:00pm, followed by an Open Mic hosted by TC Smythe at 6:00pm. Next meeting is Sunday, May 24th, 4:00pm. For more information on NSAI Houston’s meetings, contact Dave at dbannen@hotmail.com

Houston Songwriters Association
The Houston Association (HSA) is a non-profit 501 (C3) organization serving the greater Houston area for over 15 years. Originally started in Richmond, Texas and called the Fort Bend Songwriters Association, the name was changed to Houston Fort Bend Songwriters Association acknowledge the area wide demographics of the members. On January 1, 2008 it was changed to its present name of Houston Songwriters Association. Our mission is to support and encourage the art and craft of songwriting, to provide resources and educational opportunities to songwriters, and to nurture a positive environment in which songwriters may fully develop their potential as songwriters. The group meets monthly to critique songs and showcase talent. News, member achievements, and special events are conveyed through our newsletter, "Liner Notes". During the monthly critique sessions, two to three songs are chosen by ballot as the song of the month. At the November meeting, the "Song of the Year" and the "Songwriter of the Year" are chosen by secret ballot from those monthly winners, with the results announced at the Annual December Party. All ages, all musical styles and all levels of experience are invited! We welcome you to visit and make some new friends that share your interest in songwriting. Next meeting Sunday, June 14th, 1:30pm, at JP Hops House, 2317 Hwy 6 South. For more information, visit http://www.houstonsongwriters.com


As you know by now, the ASG Songwriter Symposium is just about one month away - (January 9-11). Early Registration discounts are in effect until December 20th. If you register by that date, you will be entered in a contest for a mentorship with Radney Foster. To register, go to the ASG website. If you are currently an active member, the early registration price for the Symposium is only $175. After December 20th, that price will go up to $210. If you are not currently an active member, the early registration price is $225, which includes your membership dues for 2009. After December 20th, the non-member price will go to $260. Registration at the door for the conference will be $245 for members and $295 for non-members. So, if you wish to save money and get a chance for a mentorship with Radney Foster, be sure to register online at the ASG website before December 20th. After that date prices will go up and you not have a shot at the Radney Foster mentorship.

http://www.austinsongwritersgroup.com/

The 4th Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise
A combination songwriting conference and 7-day cruise, sails out of Galveston, Texas on February 1, 2009, with port of call in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the Grand Caymans, and Cozumel, Mexico. Aspiring songwriters from all over the country attend this event where they learn about the craft and business of songwriting, and get the opportunity to pitch their songs to major publishing companies, top producers, and hit songwriters.
http://www.txsongwriterscruise.com


DurangoSong Next Expo Feb 26-28!
We are gearing up for our next Expo which will take place Feb 26-28, 2009 in Santa Ynez (Santa Barbara, CA).
If you've never been to our Santa Barbara Wine Country event, you should definitely try to come to this one! We've just secured the fantastic Jim Lauderdale as a headliner and we'll have the usual enormous contingent of top-notch industry movers and shakers...plus surprises, as always!

http://www.durangosong.com

DALLAS SONGWRITERS WORKSHOPS

Educational workshops on the craft and business of songwriting featuring industry professionals as panelist or guest speakers.